Non-transitory computer readable recording medium, method, and device for determining moving state

ABSTRACT

A determination device generates, based on a first captured image captured by a first image capturing device mounted on a moving object, a shape of a subject (one of subjects) included in the first captured image. The determination device estimates the location of the shape of the subject after specific time based on the location of the shape of the subject and a moving speed. The determination device extracts the shape of the subject from a second captured image captured by a second image capturing device mounted on the moving object; compares the location of the shape of the subject extracted from the second captured image with the location of the shape of the subject estimated from the first captured image; and performs determination related to a moving state of the subject.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority of the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-015554, filed on Jan. 31, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The embodiment discussed herein is related to a computer-readable recording medium and the like.

BACKGROUND

Compressing video images captured by video cameras at high compression rate by using a compression technology, such as Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG), is mainly used for video image compression. Furthermore, in recent years, attempts have been made to apply a technology that is used to analyze video images captured by a car-mounted camera and compressed using MPEG and recognize both static objects, such as roads and signs, included in the video images and dynamic objects, such as the other cars, bikes, or peoples, to an automatic operation of vehicles.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2008-171141

Patent Document 2: Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2006-338273

Patent Document 3: Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2010-093610

Patent Document 4: Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2017-068700

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of an embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable recording medium has stored therein a determination program that causes a computer to execute a process including: receiving a first captured image that is captured by a first image capturing device mounted on a moving object and a moving speed of the moving object; extracting a first shape that is a shape of one of subjects included in the first captured image, based on the received first captured image; first specifying a first location that is an estimated appearance location of the first shape in a captured image that is newly captured by the first image capturing device after a specific time has elapsed from when the first captured image was captured, based on the location of the first shape in the first captured image and based on the received moving speed; second specifying a second location that is an appearance location of a second shape associated with the first shape in a second captured image, from among shapes of the subjects included in the received second captured image, when receiving the second captured image captured by a second image capturing device mounted on the moving object after the specific time has elapsed from when the first captured image was captured; and determining whether a moving state is related to the one of the subjects, based on a comparison result between the first location and the second location.

The object and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a process performed by a determination device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the determination device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of a buffer according to the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a moving speed table according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a process performed by an image processing unit according to the embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a process performed by an encoding unit according to the embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the order of encoding performed by the encoding unit according to the embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a process performed by the determination device according to the embodiment; and

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer that implements the same function as that performed by the determination device.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

However, with the conventional technology described above, there is a problem in that it is not possible to distinguish static objects from dynamic objects and extract their shapes with high accuracy.

For example, in a video image captured by a car-mounted camera, because a vehicle moves, not only dynamic objects but also static objects also move. Consequently, in compression performed by using MPEG, encoding is not performed in units of objects and it is thus difficult to distinguish the static objects from the dynamic objects and detect their shapes with high accuracy.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained with reference to accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system according to an embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1, in this system, a stereo camera 100 a, a monocular camera 100 b, and a determination device 100 are mounted on a moving object 5. The stereo camera 100 a and the monocular camera 100 b are connected to the determination device 100. In the embodiment, a description will be given of a case, as an example, in which the moving object 5 is a vehicle running on a road; however, the example is not limited to the vehicle as long as the moving object 5 is a moving item.

The stereo camera 100 a is a camera (binocular camera) that simultaneously captures an image of a target objects by two lenses from different directions. The stereo camera 100 a can actively use parallax based on binocular lenses and extract the distance from a subject and the shape of the subject.

The monocular camera 100 b is a camera that captures an image by a single lens.

The determination device 100 is a device that determines, based on the captured image data captured by the stereo camera 100 a, the captured image data captured by the monocular camera 100 b, and a moving speed (movement vector) of the moving object 5, whether the shape of each of the subjects extracted from the captured image data is the shape of a static object (stationary object) or the shape of a dynamic object.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a process performed by a determination device according to the embodiment. For example, in FIG. 2, it is assumed that captured image data 10 a is the captured image data captured by the stereo camera 100 a at time t1. It is assumed that captured image data 10 b is the captured image data captured by the monocular camera 100 b at time t1. Furthermore, it is assumed that captured image data 11 b is the captured image data captured by the monocular camera 100 b at time t2.

The determination device 100 extracts, based on the principle of stereo matching, the shape of a subject 15 a and the shape of a subject 16 a included in the captured image data 10 a. Furthermore, if a plurality of subjects is present, the determination device 100 extracts one of the subjects. Furthermore, the determination device 100 estimates, assuming that the subject 15 a and the subject 16 a are static objects, based on information on a moving speed of the moving object 5, a location of each of the subjects 15 a and 16 a located after elapse of a predetermined time. For example, the determination device 100 estimates the location of the each of the subjects 15 a and 16 a located after elapse of a predetermined time started from the time at which the image of the captured image data 10 a was captured. The location of each of the subjects 15 a and 16 a to be estimated is the location indicated in the captured image data.

For example, the determination device 100 generates correction image data 11 a by estimating, based on the information on the moving speed, the location of the subject 15 a and the location of the subject 16 a at time t2 and correcting the captured image data 10 a. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the location of the shape of the subject 15 a is corrected to the location of the shape of a subject 15 b. The location of the shape of the subject 16 a is corrected to the location of the shape of a subject 16 b.

The determination device 100 determines, by comparing the correction image data 11 a with the captured image data 11 b, whether the subjects 15 a and 16 a are static objects or dynamic objects. For example, a subject 15 c that is associated with the shape of the subject 15 b and that is associated with the corrected subject 15 a is present in an area 1A of the captured image data 11 b. Consequently, the subject 15 a that has been assumed to be a static object moves to the expected location and thus the determination device 100 determines that the subject 15 a is a static object.

In contrast, a subject 16 c that is associated with the shape of the subject 16 b and that is associated with the corrected subject 16 b is not present in an area 1B in the captured image data 11 b. Consequently, the subject 16 a that has been assumed to be a static object does not move to the expected location and thus that determination device 100 determines that the subject 16 a is a dynamic object.

As described above, the determination device 100 assumes that, based on the moving speed of the moving object 5, the subject extracted from the captured image data 10 a captured by the stereo camera 100 a is a static object and generates the correction image data 11 a by estimating the location of the subject located after elapse of a predetermined time. The determination device 100 compares the correction image data 11 a with the captured image data 11 b that is obtained after elapse of a predetermined time since an image was actually captured and determines that, if the subject moves as expected, the subject is a static object. Consequently, it is possible to extract the shape of the subject that remains stationary with high accuracy.

In the following, an example of a configuration of the determination device according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the determination device according to the embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the determination device 100 includes a communication unit 110, a storage unit 140, and a control unit 150.

The communication unit 110 is a processing unit that performs data communication between the stereo camera 100 a and the monocular camera 100 b. The communication unit 110 acquires captured image data captured by the stereo camera 100 a. For example, it is assumed that, in the captured image data captured by the stereo camera 100 a, a combination of an image of captured image data captured from a first direction and an image of captured image data captured from a second direction that is different from the first direction are included. Furthermore, the communication unit 110 acquires the captured image data captured by the monocular camera 100 b. The control unit 150, which will be described later, acquires data from the stereo camera 100 a and the monocular camera 100 b via the communication unit 110.

Furthermore, the communication unit 110 is connected to a speed measurement device (not illustrated) mounted on the moving object 5. The speed measurement device is a device that measures a moving speed (movement vector) of the moving object 5 based on the speed of the moving object 5 and a rudder angle or the like of the steering wheel of the moving object 5. The communication unit 110 acquires information on the moving speed from the speed measurement device.

In a description below, the captured image data acquired from the stereo camera 100 a is appropriately referred to as first captured image data and the captured image data acquired from the monocular camera 100 b is appropriately referred to as second captured image data.

The storage unit 140 includes a buffer 140 a, a moving speed table 140 b, correction image data 140 c, a static object image table 140 d, a dynamic object image table 140 e, Zelkova tree information 140 f, and an encoding file 140 g. The storage unit 140 corresponds to a semiconductor memory device, such as a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and a flash memory, or a storage device, such as a hard disk drive (HDD).

The buffer 140 a is a buffer that holds the first captured image data and the second captured image data. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of the buffer according to the embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the buffer 140 a includes tables 141 and 142.

The table 141 is a table that holds the time, at which the first captured image data was captured, and the first captured image data in association with each other. The table 142 is a table that holds the time, at which the second captured image data was captured, and the second captured image data in association with each other.

The moving speed table 140 b is a table that holds information on a moving speed (movement vector) of the moving object 5 at each time. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the moving speed table according to the embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the moving speed table 140 b associates the time with the moving speed of the moving object 5.

The correction image data 140 c is image data obtained by correcting, based on the moving speed, the location of the shape of the subject included in the first captured image data captured at time t. For example, the correction image data 140 c corresponds to the correction image data 11 a described in FIG. 2.

The static object image table 140 d is image data that is obtained by removing a dynamic object from the first captured image data. In a description below, the image data that is obtained by removing a dynamic object from the first captured image data is referred to as “static image data”. For example, the static object image table 140 d holds the time and the static image data in association with each other.

The dynamic object image table 140 e is image data that is obtained by removing a static object from the first captured image data image data. In a description below, the image data that is obtained by removing a static object from the first captured image data is referred to as “dynamic image data”. For example, the dynamic object image table 140 e holds the time and the dynamic image data in association with each other.

In the Zelkova tree information 140 f, information in which a code is assigned to a block of the captured image data by using a Zelkova tree (also called a neural tree) is registered.

The encoding file 140 g is information that holds encoded captured image data.

The control unit 150 includes a receiving unit 150 a, a generating unit 150 b, a determination unit 150 c, an image processing unit 150 d, an encoding unit 150 e, and an output unit 150 f. The control unit 150 can be implemented by a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processing unit (MPU), or the like. Furthermore, the control unit 150 can also be implemented by hard-wired logic, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

The receiving unit 150 a acquires the first captured image data from the stereo camera 100 a, associates the time with the first captured image data, and registers the association information in the table 141. The receiving unit 150 a acquires the second captured image data from the monocular camera 100 b, associates the time with the second captured image data, and registers the association information in the table 142.

The receiving unit 150 a acquires data on a moving speed from the speed measurement device, associates the time with the moving speed, and registers the association information in the moving speed table 140 b.

The generating unit 150 b is a processing unit that generates the correction image data 140 c based on the first captured image data stored in the table 141 in the buffer 140 a and based on the moving speed in the moving speed table 140 b. In the following, as an example, a process of generating the correction image data 140 c based on the first captured image data obtained at time t will be described.

The generating unit 150 b acquires the first captured image data obtained at time t stored in the table 141 and extracts the shape of the subject from the first captured image data. For example, in the first captured image data captured by the stereo camera 100 a, a set of the captured image data captured from the first direction and the captured image data captured from the second direction is associated. Furthermore, the first captured image data may also be one of the pieces of captured image data between the captured image data captured by the stereo camera 100 a from the first direction and the captured image data captured by the stereo camera 100 a from the second direction.

The generating unit 150 b specifies, based on the principle of stereo matching, distance between a point on the subject included in the first captured image data and the stereo camera 100 a. For example, the generating unit 150 b extracts, as the shape of the subject, the area of a point group in which the distance from the stereo camera 100 a is less than a predetermined distance. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the generating unit 150 b extracts, from the first captured image data (the captured image data 10 a), the shape of the subject 15 a and the shape of the subject 16 a. Furthermore, the predetermined distance described above is set to be a focal distance of the stereo camera 100 a.

The generating unit 150 b performs correction by acquiring the information on the moving speed that is associated with the time t from the moving speed table 140 b; estimating, in accordance with the information on the moving speed, the location of the shape of the subject located after elapse of a predetermined time (for example, time t+1); and moving the location of the shape of the subject. Here, the generating unit 150 b may also correct the size of the shape of the moved subject by using a predetermined enlargement percentage. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the generating unit 150 b sets the shape of the subject 15 a to the shape of the subject 15 b. The generating unit 150 b sets the shape of the subject 16 a to the shape of the subject 16 b.

The generating unit 150 b generates the correction image data 140 c obtained at time t+1 by correcting the location of the shape of the subject extracted from the first captured image data obtained at time t by using the information on the moving speed described above. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the correction image data obtained at time t2 to be generated from the first captured image data (the captured image data 10 a) obtained at time t1 becomes the correction image data 11 a.

The determination unit 150 c is a processing unit that determines, based on the correction image data 140 c and based on the second captured image data stored in the table 142 in the buffer 140 a, whether the subject included in the first captured image data is a dynamic object or a static object. Here, as an example, a case of determining whether the subject included in the first captured image data obtained at time t is a dynamic object or a static object based on the correction image data 140 c and based on the second captured image data obtained at time t+1 will be described.

The determination unit 150 c performs edge extraction on the second captured image data and extracts an edge component of the subject. The determination unit 150 c specifies the area of the second captured image data associated with the area of the subject of the correction image data 140 c. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the area of the second captured image data associated with the area of the subject 15 b is the area 1A. The area of the second captured image data associated with the area of the subject 16 b is the area 1B.

if an edge component that is similar to the shape of the subject associated with the captured image data 10 a is included in the specified area, the determination unit 150 c determines that the corresponding subject of the first captured image data is a static object. In contrast, if an edge component that is similar to the shape of the subject associated with the captured image data 10 a is not included in the specified area, the determination unit 150 c determines that the corresponding subject of the first captured image data is a dynamic object.

For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 2, because the edge component 15 c that is associated with the shape of the subject 15 b is included in the area 1A, the determination unit 150 c determines that the subject 15 a is a static object. In contrast, because the edge component that is associated with the shape of the subject 16 b is not included in the area 1B, the determination unit 150 c determines that the subject 16 a is a dynamic object.

The determination unit 150 c outputs, to the image processing unit 150 d, the information on the location of the shape of the subject that has been determined to be a static object from among the shapes of the subjects included in the first captured image data. In a description below, appropriately, the subject that has been determined to be a static object included in the first captured image data is simply referred to as a static object. Furthermore, the subject that has been determined to be a dynamic object included in the first captured image data is simply referred to as a dynamic object.

Furthermore, the determination unit 150 c outputs, to the encoding unit 150 e, the information on the location of the shape of the static object included in the first captured image data and the information on the location of the shape of the dynamic object included in the first captured image data.

The image processing unit 150 d is a processing unit that generates the static image data and the dynamic image data based on the location information on the shape of the static object. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the process performed by the image processing unit according to the embodiment. For example, it is assumed that subjects 31 and 32 is included in first captured image data 30. Furthermore, it is assumed that, based on the location information on the static object acquired from the determination unit 150 c, the subject 31 is a static object and the subject 32 is a dynamic object.

For example, the image processing unit 150 d generates the static image data by removing, based on the location information on the shape of the static object, the dynamic object between the static object and the dynamic object included in the first captured image data. In FIG. 6, the image processing unit 150 d generates static image data 30 a by leaving the subject (static object) 31 and by removing the subject (dynamic object) 32. The image processing unit 150 d associates the time with the static image data 30 a and registers the association information in the static object image table 140 d. The time corresponds to the time associated with the first captured image data 30. The image processing unit 150 d associates the information on the location of the shape of the static object included in the static image data 30 a with the static image data 30 a.

The image processing unit 150 d generates dynamic image data 30 b by leaving the subject (dynamic object) 32 and by removing the subject (static object) 31. The image processing unit 150 d associates the time with the dynamic image data 30 b and registers the association information in the dynamic object image table 140 e. The time corresponds to the time associated with the first captured image data 30.

The encoding unit 150 e is a processing unit that encodes the static image data stored in the static object image table 140 d and the dynamic image data stored in the dynamic object image table 140 e and that stores the encoded information in the encoding file 140 g.

An example of a process in which the encoding unit 150 e encodes the static image data will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the process performed by the encoding unit according to the embodiment. In a description in FIG. 7, it is assumed that the subject (static object) 31 is included in static image data 50.

The encoding unit 150 e divides the static image data 50 into a plurality of blocks 50-11 to 50-45. The encoding unit 150 e specifies, based on the location of the shape of the static object, from among the plurality of the blocks 50-11 to 50-45, the blocks that include the outline of the subject (static object).

In a description below, when particularly distinguishing the blocks, the blocks that include the outline of the subject are referred to as “first type blocks”. The blocks that do not include the outline of the target subject are referred to as “second type blocks”.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, the first type blocks become the blocks 50-22, 50-32, and 50-42. The other blocks that do not correspond to the first type blocks become the second type blocks.

An example of the process in which the encoding unit 150 e encodes (compresses) the first type blocks will be described. Here, the process in which the encoding unit 150 e encodes the block 50-22 will be described.

The encoding unit 150 e generates, based on the block 50-22, front dither image data 51-22 a and rear dither image data 51-22 b.

The front dither image data 51-22 a is image data that includes only the subject 31. For example, the encoding unit 150 e generates the front dither image data 51-22 a by leaving, in the area of the block 50-22, the area of the subject 31, performing a process of penetrating the other areas, and performing dithering on the processed block 50-22.

The rear dither image data 51-22 b is image data that does not include the subject 31. For example, the encoding unit 150 e performs a process of excluding, in the area of the block 50-22, the area of the subject 31 and correcting the pixel values in the excluded area with the pixel values of the other area (for example, the area or the background of the subject 31). The encoding unit 150 e generates the rear dither image data 51-22 b by performing dithering on the processed block 50-22.

The encoding unit 150 e assigns a code α51-22 to the front dither image data 51-22 a and generates outline information 51-22. For example, the encoding unit 150 e selects a single code from among a plurality of unassigned codes α51-n and assigns the selected code to the front dither image data 51-22 a. The outline information 51-22 is information that indicates the shape of the outline of the subject 31 included in the front dither image data 51-22 a.

Furthermore, the encoding unit 150 e assigns a code β51-22 to the rear dither image data 51-22 b. For example, the encoding unit 150 e selects a single code from among a plurality of unassigned codes β51-n and assigns the selected code to the rear dither image data 51-22 b.

The encoding unit 150 e registers the information in which the front dither image data 51-22 a is associated with the code α51-22 in the Zelkova tree information 140 f. The encoding unit 150 e registers the information in which the rear dither image data 51-22 b is associated with the code β51-22 in the Zelkova tree information 140 f.

The encoding unit 150 e stores, in the order in which blocks were encoded, the code α51-22 of the front dither image data 51-22 a in the code area in the encoding file 140 g. As will be described in FIG. 8 later, for example, because the block 51-22 a is encoded for the fifth time, the encoding unit 150 e stores the code α51-22 in the fifth code area. Furthermore, the encoding unit 150 e associates the encoding order, the code β51-22 of the rear dither image data 51-22 b, and the outline information and stores the association information in the trailer portion.

The process in which the encoding unit 150 e encodes the other first type blocks is the same as the process of encoding the block 50-22 described above. The encoding unit 150 e generates, regarding each of the first type blocks, the front dither image data and the rear dither image data; assigns codes; and generates outline information. Furthermore, the encoding unit 150 e updates the Zelkova tree information 140 f and the information in the encoding file 140 g.

In the following, an example of a process in which the encoding unit 150 e encodes (compresses) the second type blocks will be described. Here, a process in which the encoding unit 150 e encodes the block 50-11 will be described.

The encoding unit 150 e generates dither image data 51-11 by performing dithering on the block 50-11 without processing anything. The encoding unit 150 e assigns the dither image data 51-11 to the code γ51-11. The encoding unit 150 e registers, in the Zelkova tree information 140 f, the information in which the dither image data 51-11 is associated with the code γ51-11.

The process in which the encoding unit 150 e encodes the other second type blocks is the same as the process of encoding the block 50-11 described above.

Here, the encoding unit 150 e characterizes each of the codes such that the codes assigned to the front dither image data in the first type block and the codes assigned to the dither image data in the second type block can be identified. For example, the encoding unit 150 e may also unify the top n bits of the code to be assigned to the front dither image data by a predetermined bit string. Alternatively, the encoding unit 150 e may also unify the top n bits of the code of the dither image data in the second type block by a predetermined bit string.

The encoding unit 150 e encodes, in a manner described above, each of the blocks 50-11 to 50-45 in accordance with a predetermined order that has previously been defined and then sequentially stores the codes and the outline information in the encoding file 140 g. For example, the encoding file 140 g includes a header portion, a code area, and a trailer portion.

The header portion is an area for storing various kinds of control information. The code area is an area for storing codes of the front dither image data and codes of the dither image data in the second type block. The trailer portion is an area for storing the outline information and the codes of the rear dither image data.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the order of encoding performed by the encoding unit according to the embodiment. Each of the blocks is encoded in the order illustrated in FIG. 8 and then the code assigned to each of the blocks is stored in the code area in this order. In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, the encoding unit 150 e encodes each of the blocks in the order of zigzag scan. Specifically, the order of the encoding is in the order of the blocks 50-11, 50-12, 50-21, 50-31, 50-22, 50-13, 50-14, 50-23, 50-32, 50-41, 50-42, 50-33, 50-24, 50-15, 50-25, 50-34, 50-43, 50-44, 50-35, and 50-45.

For example, the encoding unit 150 e encodes the block (the first type block) 50-22 for the fifth time. Consequently, the encoding unit 150 e stores the code α51-22 assigned to the front dither image data associated with the block 50-22 in the fifth area in the code area.

It is assumed that, when the encoding unit 150 e stores both the codes of the rear dither image data in the first type block and the outline information in the trailer portion, the encoding unit 150 e associates the codes and the outline information with the order in which the corresponding first type blocks were encoded. For example, the block (the first type block) 50-22 is encoded for the fifth time. Consequently, the encoding unit 150 e associates the order of “5”, the code β51-22 assigned to the rear dither image data, and the outline information 51-22 and then stores the associated information in the trailer portion.

As described above, the encoding unit 150 e divides the static image data 50 into a plurality of blocks, scans the blocks in a predetermined order, encodes each of the blocks, and sequentially stores the codes in the code area in the encoding file 140 g in the order in which the blocks were encoded. Here, if the blocks targeted for encoding are the first type blocks, the encoding unit 150 e performs a process of assigning the codes that can be distinguished from the codes of the second type blocks, associating the outline information on the subject included in the first type block with the order in which the blocks were encoded, and storing the associated information in the trailer portion. Consequently, it is possible to specify the blocks that include the outline of the subject by scanning the code area without decoding the codes stored in the code area and generating the static image data 50 and it is thus possible to easily recycling the outline (outline vector) of the subject by acquiring the outline information associated with the specified blocks from the trailer portion.

In the following, an example of a process in which the encoding unit 150 e encodes the dynamic image data will be described. The process of encoding the dynamic image data performed by the encoding unit 150 e corresponds to the process of encoding the static image data.

Namely, the encoding unit 150 e divides the dynamic image data into a plurality of blocks, scans the blocks in a predetermined order, encodes each of the blocks, and sequentially stores the codes in the code area in the encoding file 140 g in the order in which the blocks were encoded. Here, if the blocks targeted for encoding are the first type blocks, the encoding unit 150 e performs a process of assigning the codes that can be distinguished from the codes of the second type blocks, associating the outline information on the subject included in the first type blocks with the order in which the blocks were encoded, and storing the associated information in the trailer portion.

Furthermore, it is assumed that the encoding unit 150 e distinguishes, in the code area in the encoding file 140 g, the area for storing the codes of the static image data from the area for storing the codes of the dynamic image data. It is assumed that the encoding unit 150 e distinguishes, in the trailer portion in the encoding file 140 g, the area for storing the information on the static image data from the area for storing the information on the dynamic image data.

The output unit 150 f is a processing unit that reads the encoding file 140 g and that outputs the information in the encoding file 140 g to another external device.

In the following, an example of the flow of a process performed by the determination device 100 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the process performed by the determination device according to the embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the receiving unit 150 a in the determination device 100 receives the first captured image data from the stereo camera 100 a (Step S101).

The generating unit 150 b in the determination device 100 extracts the shape of the subject included in the first captured image data (Step S102). The generating unit 150 b corrects, based on the movement vector (moving speed), the location of the shape of the subject and generates the correction image data 140 c (Step S103).

The receiving unit 150 a receives the second captured image data from the monocular camera 100 b (Step S104). The determination unit 150 c in the determination device 100 extracts the subject from the second captured image data (Step S105).

The determination unit 150 c compares the location of the shape of the extracted subject with the location of the shape of the estimated subject and determines whether the subject is a static object or a dynamic object (Step S106).

The image processing unit 150 d in the determination device 100 generates static image data by removing the dynamic object between the static object and the dynamic object included in the first captured image data and the encoding unit 150 e in the determination device 100 encodes the static image data (Step S107).

The image processing unit 150 d generates the dynamic image data by removing the static object between the static object and the dynamic object included in the first captured image data and the encoding unit 150 e encodes the dynamic image data (Step S108).

In the following, the effects of the determination device 100 according to the embodiment will be described. The determination device 100 generates the correction image data 140 c in which the location of the subject located after elapse of a predetermined time by assuming that, based on the moving speed of the moving object 5, the subject extracted from the captured image data obtained by the stereo camera 100 a is a static object. The determination device 100 compares the correction image data 140 c with the second captured image data obtained after elapse of a predetermined time since the actual capturing time and then determines that, if the subject is moved as expected, the subject is a static object. Consequently, it is possible to distinguish a static object from a dynamic object and extract each of the shapes thereof with high accuracy.

The determination device 100 generates, in the subject included in the first captured image, the shape of the subject that is present at the location from the stereo camera 100 a by a specific distance. For example, if a characteristic distance is a focal length of the stereo camera 100 a, it is possible to detect the distance between the stereo camera 100 a and the subject with high accuracy and, consequently, it is possible to detect the shape of the subject with high accuracy.

The determination device 100 associates the information on the shape of the subject that has been determined to be a static object with the location of the shape of the subject and stores the associated information in the static object image table 140 d in the storage unit 140. Consequently, from among the subjects captured by the stereo camera 100 a, it is possible to register only the location information on the shape of the static objects. By using the location information on the shape of the static objects, this makes it possible to generate map information or to use for an automatic operation technology.

In the above explanation, regarding the determination device 100, for the purpose of convenience, a description has been given of the configuration of a combination of the stereo camera 100 a and the monocular camera 100 b; however, it is possible to alternatively use a configuration of a combination of the monocular camera 100 b and the monocular camera 100 c (not shown). If a moving object, such as a vehicle, is standing still, it is not able to extract the shape, such as the outline, of a static object or an immobile dynamic object by only using the monocular camera 100 b; however, it is possible to extract the shape by using the monocular camera 100 b and the monocular camera 100 c in combination. Furthermore, if the moving object start moving, because it is possible to extract the outline of the object by using the monocular camera 100 b, by separating the monocular camera 100 b from the monocular camera 100 c and distinguishing, based on each of the images, a static object from a dynamic object, it is possible to extract each of the shapes.

In the following, a description will be given of an example of a hardware configuration of a computer that implements the same function as that performed by the determination device 100 described above in the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer that implements the same function as that performed by the determination device.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, a computer 200 includes a CPU 201 that executes various kinds arithmetic processing, an input device 202 that receives an input of data from a user, and a display 203. Furthermore, the computer 200 includes a reading device 204 that reads programs or the like from a storage medium and an interface device 205 that sends and receives data to and from the stereo camera 100 a and the monocular camera 100 b via a wired or wireless network. Furthermore, the computer 200 includes a RAM 206 that temporarily stores therein various kinds of information and a hard disk device 207. Each of the devices 201 to 207 is connected to a bus 208.

The hard disk device 207 includes a receiving program 207 a, a generation program 207 b, a determination program 207 c, an image processing program 207 d, an encoding program 207 e, and an output program 207 f. The CPU 201 reads each of the programs 207 a to 207 f and loads the programs 207 a to 207 f in the RAM 206.

The receiving program 207 a functions as a receiving process 206 a. The generation program 207 b functions as a generation process 206 b. The determination program 207 c functions as a determination process 206 c. The image processing program 207 d functions as an image processing process 206 d. The encoding program 207 e functions as an encoding process 206 e. The output program 207 f functions as an output process 206 f.

The process of the receiving process 206 a corresponds to the process performed by the receiving unit 150 a. The process of the generation process 206 b corresponds to the process performed by the generating unit 150 b. The process of the determination process 206 c corresponds to the process performed by the determination unit 150 c. The process of the image processing process 206 d corresponds to the process performed by the image processing unit 150 d. The process of the encoding process 206 e corresponds to the process performed by the encoding unit 150 e. The process of the output process 206 f corresponds to the process performed by the output unit 150 f.

Furthermore, each of the programs 207 a to 207 f does not need to be stored in the hard disk device 207 in advance from the beginning. For example, each of the programs is stored in a “portable physical medium”, such as a flexible disk (FD), a CD-ROM, a DVD disk, a magneto-optic disk, an IC CARD, that is to be inserted into the computer 200. Then, the computer 200 may also read each of the programs 207 a to 207 f from the portable physical medium and execute the programs.

It is possible to distinguish static objects and dynamic objects and extract each of the shapes with high accuracy.

All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical purposes of aiding the reader in understanding the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to further the art, and are not to be construed as limitations to such specifically recited examples and conditions, nor does the organization of such examples in the specification relate to a showing of the superiority and inferiority of the invention. Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail, it should be understood that the various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A non-transitory computer readable recording medium having stored therein a determination program that causes a computer to execute a process comprising: receiving a first captured image that is captured by a first image capturing device mounted on a moving object and a moving speed of the moving object; extracting a first shape that is a shape of one of subjects included in the first captured image, based on the received first captured image; first specifying a first location that is an estimated appearance location of the first shape in a captured image that is newly captured by the first image capturing device after a specific time has elapsed from when the first captured image was captured, based on the location of the first shape in the first captured image and based on the received moving speed; second specifying a second location that is an appearance location of a second shape associated with the first shape in a second captured image, from among shapes of the subjects included in the received second captured image, when receiving the second captured image captured by a second image capturing device mounted on the moving object after the specific time has elapsed from when the first captured image was captured; and determining whether a moving state is related to the one of the subjects, based on a comparison result whether a second edge component is similar to a first edge component, the first edge component being associated with the shape of the subject in the first location specified at the first specifying, the second edge component being associated with the shape of the subject in the second location specified at the second specifying, wherein the determining determines that, when the second edge component is associated with the first edge component, the one of the subjects at the first location is a stationary object.
 2. The non-transitory computer readable recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the first specifying specifies the first location after elapse of the specific time assuming that, based on the location of the first shape in the first captured image and based on the moving speed, the one of the subjects is a stationary object.
 3. The non-transitory computer readable recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the first image capturing device is a stereo camera, and the extracting extracts the shape of the subject as the first shape, from among the subjects included in the first captured image, that is present at the location away from the first image capturing device by a specific distance.
 4. The non-transitory computer readable recording medium according to claim 1, the process further comprising storing, in a storage unit in association with the first location, information on the first shape of the one of the subjects that has been determined to be the stationary object.
 5. A determination method comprising: receiving a first captured image that is captured by a first image capturing device mounted on a moving object and a moving speed of the moving object, using a processor; extracting a first shape that is a shape of one of subjects included in the first captured image, based on the received first captured image, using the processor; first specifying a first location that is an estimated appearance location of the first shape in a captured image that is newly captured by the first image capturing device after a specific time has elapsed from when the first captured image was captured, based on the location of the first shape in the first captured image and based on the received moving speed, using the processor; second specifying a second location that is an appearance location of a second shape associated with the first shape in a second captured image, from among shapes of the subjects included in the received second captured image, when receiving the second captured image captured by a second image capturing device mounted on the moving object after the specific time has elapsed from when the first captured image was captured, using the processor; and determining whether a moving state is related to the one of the subjects, based on a comparison result whether a second edge component is similar to a first edge component, the first edge component being associated with the shape of the subject in the first location specified at the first specifying, the second edge component being associated with the shape of the subject in the second location specified at the second specifying, using the processor, wherein the determining determines that, when the second edge component is associated with the first edge component, the one of the subjects at the first location is a stationary object.
 6. The determination method according to claim 5, wherein the first specifying specifies the first location after elapse of the specific time assuming that, based on the location of the first shape in the first captured image and based on the moving speed, the one of the subjects is a stationary object.
 7. The determination method according to 5, wherein the first image capturing device is a stereo camera, and the extracting extracts the shape of the subject as the first shape, from among the subjects included in the first captured image, that is present at the location away from the first image capturing device by a specific distance.
 8. The determination method according to claim 5, the process further comprising storing, in a storage unit in association with the first location, information on the first shape of the one of the subjects that has been determined to be the stationary object.
 9. A determination device comprising: a memory; and a processor that executes a process comprising: receiving a first captured image that is captured by a first image capturing device mounted on a moving object and a moving speed of the moving object; extracting a first shape that is a shape of one of subjects included in the first captured image, based on the received first captured image; first specifying a first location that is an estimated appearance location of the first shape in a captured image that is newly captured by the first image capturing device after a specific time has elapsed from when the first captured image was captured, based on the location of the first shape in the first captured image and based on the received moving speed; second specifying a second location that is an appearance location of a second shape associated with the first shape in a second captured image, from among shapes of the subjects included in the received second captured image, when receiving the second captured image captured by a second image capturing device mounted on the moving object after the specific time has elapsed from when the first captured image was captured; and determining whether a moving state is related to the one of the subjects, based on a comparison result whether a second edge component is similar to a first edge component, the first edge component being associated with the shape of the subject in the first location specified at the first specifying, the second edge component being associated with the shape of the subject in the second location specified at the second specifying, wherein the determining determines that, when the second edge component is associated with the first edge component, the one of the subjects at the first location is a stationary object.
 10. The determination device according to claim 9, wherein the first specifying specifies the first location after elapse of the specific time assuming that, based on the location of the first shape in the first captured image and based on the moving speed, the one of the subjects is a stationary object.
 11. The determination device according to claim 9 wherein the first image capturing device is a stereo camera, and the extracting extracts the shape of the subject as the first shape, from among the subjects included in the first captured image, that is present at the location away from the first image capturing device by a specific distance.
 12. The determination device according to claim 9, the process further comprising storing, in the memory in association with the first location, information on the first shape of the one of the subjects that has been determined to be the stationary object. 